Communications & Engagement Manager

SUMMARY:
The position supports and provides expertise to the Director and the Leadership team on official engagement, communications and public relations matters. This role is responsible for ensuring that the company is adequately represented in all relevant forums and ensures respectful, collaborative and inclusive relations between the company and all stakeholders.
This is a highly strategic role that requires excellent leadership, media relations expertise, a strong sense of collaboration, stakeholder engagement skills, experience managing large-scale communications projects, and a passion for science and innovation.
The incumbent will be requested to travel locally and internationally to attend meetings and conferences. Also, they might have to occasionally work outside of working hours as necessary

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic planning and stakeholder engagement
• Brand custodian
• Media relations and crisis management
• Outreach, public education and event coordination
• Content creation
• Team leadership and resource management
• Finance/ Budget Management
• Developing and executing a successful national communications and stakeholder engagement strategy
• Building and maintaining respectful, collaborative and inclusive relationships with all relevant stakeholders in the country
• Developing a national outreach and education strategy for the company in collaboration with local partners, and developing or conducting outreach activities
• Ensuring continuous monitoring, regular reporting and sound budgeting of all communications and engagement activities in country
• Representing the interests and commitment of the company to all relevant stakeholders in the country

• BTech or Bachelor's Degree (NQF 7) in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or equivalent qualification coupled with 10 years' corporate communications or stakeholder engagement role; or
• Honours or Post Graduate degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or equivalent qualification coupled with 8 years' corporate communications or stakeholder engagement role; or
• Masters' Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or equivalent qualification coupled with 6 years' corporate communications or stakeholder engagement role

• Work experience: Minimum 6 years in a senior communications role, preferably in the science, technology, or space sector
• Proven experience managing large-scale communication and outreach projects internationally
• Strong leadership and team management experience, with a demonstrated ability to mentor and develop teams
• Strategic Planning: Proficiency in developing and implementing effective communication strategies
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong capability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Project Management: Skills in organizing, executing, and monitoring outreach projects and events
• Crisis Communication: Ability to manage communication during sensitive situations and mitigate potential issues.
• Excellent Writing and Editing: Ability to craft clear, compelling content across various mediums
• Digital Marketing: Knowledge of digital tools, social media, and online engagement techniques
• Public Speaking: Comfort and effectiveness in presenting information to groups and at events
• Analytical Skills: Capacity to evaluate communication efforts and use metrics to improve strategies
• Leadership skills: Leading and managing a team on complex projects with a proven record of successful delivery
• Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility in thinking and adapts to and manages the increasing rate of organisational change by adjusting strategies, goals and priorities. Also includes adaptability to different work systems and willingness to learn different systems for effective workflows
• Quality-driven: Set quality and professional standards and ensure quality assurance is maintained for all communication projects including and especially the brand
• Autonomy: able to operate independently, demonstrating a pro-active and innovative attitude to deliver on projects in line with the set objectives